Providing a localised cervical cancer screening course for general practice nurses

Joanne Porter; Elizabeth Miller; Valerie Prokopiv; Lauren Sewell; Kaye Borgelt; Vaughan Reimers

Just Accepted

This article has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. It is in production and has not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

Providing a localised cervical cancer screening course for general practice nurses

Joanne Porter , Elizabeth Miller, Valerie Prokopiv, Lauren Sewell, Kaye Borgelt, Vaughan Reimers

Abstract

Cervical screening programs in Australia have been developed to detect early precancerous changes in women with a cervix aged between 25 and 74. Yet, many barriers remain to the uptake of cervical screening. Barriers include a lack of culturally appropriate service provision, physical access, poor health literacy, emotional difficulties, socio-economic disadvantage and not having access to a female service provider. In remote and very remote areas of Australia, additional barriers experienced by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples include a distrust of healthcare providers and a lack of services, resulting in a much higher rate of diagnosis and death from cervical cancer. General practice nurses (GPNs) are well placed to conduct cervical screening tests (CSTs) after they have undertaken additional education and practical training. GPN’s increase in scope of practice is beneficial to general practice as it helps to remove some barriers to cervical screening. In addition, GPNs conducting CST reduce GP workload, burnout and increase teamwork. GPNs working in metropolitan clinics have greater access to training facilities, whereas those working in rural and remote clinics are required to travel potentially long distances to complete practical assessments. This highlights the need for training to be made available in rural and remote areas. The aim of this forum paper is therefore to generate further discussion on the need for training programs to be made available in rural and remote areas to aid the upskilling of GPNs. Keywords - Cervical cancer screening training, general practice nurses, benefits, barriers, scope of practice

PY24089 Accepted 10 August 2024